News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Damon Thompson
301-443-4000
|
SURGEON GENERAL LAUNCHES EFFORT TO DEVELOP
ACTION PLAN TO COMBAT OVERWEIGHT, OBESITY
Surgeon General David Satcher today announced a year-long effort
to develop a national action plan for reducing the prevalence of
overweight and obesity in the United States. Satcher said
the process would be inclusive and collaborative, and would include
open public comment periods, listening sessions, federal and non-federal
dialogue, interactive workshops and the formation of working groups
to implement strategies.
"The prevalence of overweight and obesity has nearly doubled
among children and adolescents since 1980," Satcher told
public health and industry leaders attending an international nutrition
conference. "It is also increasing in both genders and
among all population groups of adults. We want to establish
strategies and set priorities so that we can successfully implement
obesity prevention efforts that focus on the family and community,
schools, work sites, the health care delivery system, and the media."
The Surgeon General last month held a "listening session"
on overweight and obesity at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
in Bethesda, Maryland. At the meeting — entitled Toward
a National Action Plan on Overweight and Obesity: The Surgeon
General's Initiative — five panels of experts presented
their views on priorities for obesity prevention efforts.
Co-sponsors of the event included the NIH, the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, and the Office of Public Health and Science.
"The participants in this meeting brought fresh and exciting
ideas to the table," said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health
Randolph F. Wykoff. "Overweight and obesity represent
one of ten leading health indicators included in Healthy People
2010, the nation's health objectives for the next decade.
With the continuing input from these participants and the groups
they represent, we stand to have a real impact on an important
public health problem."
Several follow-up events will continue efforts to develop a national
action plan. An invitational, interactive workshop to further
develop strategies and stimulate collaboration is in the planning
stages. A meeting of federal agencies will begin dialogue
to develop a coordinated federal approach. Further opportunity
for public input in development of the plan is envisioned during
2001.
Overweight and obesity substantially raise the risk of illness
from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, heart
disease and stroke, gallbladder disease, arthritis, sleep disturbances
and problems breathing, and certain types of cancers. On average,
higher body weights are associated with higher death rates.
The number of overweight children, adolescents, and adults has
risen over the past four decades. Total costs (medical cost
and lost productivity) attributable to obesity alone amounted to
an estimated $99 billion in 1995. During 1988-94, 11
percent of children and adolescents aged 6 to 19 years were overweight
or obese. During the same years, 23 percent of adults aged
20 years and older were considered obese.
A webcast of the two-day December listening session is accessible
on the Internet at: http://videocast.nih.gov/
(requires Real Player).
Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.
Last Revised: April 23, 2004
|
